Banding means

ABSTRACT

A banding machine having an encircling means mounting four retractable fingers. The encircling means encircles a banding station which is adapted to receive a package. A clamp on said ring grips the end of the banding tape and the fingers form the tape around the banding station with no strain on the tape caused by snubbing action around the article. The fingers are then retracted and the slack in the tape is taken up and the tape is snugly wrapped around the package and sealed. The normal timing cycle is cut in half in production runs since a package may be inserted while the tape is being fed around the fingers.

United States Patent Lyon 1 May 30, 1972 [54] BANDING MEANS Floyd A.Lyon, Brookville,

Halm Instrument Co., Inc., Glen Head, NY.

[22] Filed: Oct. [2,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 80,071

[72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

[52] [1.8. CI. ..l00/27, 53/198 R, 100/33 PB [51] Int. Cl ..B65b 13/12[58] Field of Search ..53/l98; 100/27, 28, 33 PB [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,920,553 1/1960 Van Marle ..100/27 3,331,3127/1967 Leslie et a1... 100/28 3,045,584 7/1962 Willis et a1 "IOU/27Primary Examiner-Theron E. Condon Assistant Examiner-Neil AbramsAttorney-James P. Malone [57] ABSTRACT A banding machine having anencircling means mounting four retractable fingers. The encircling meansencircles a banding station which is adapted to receive a package. Aclamp on said ring grips the end of the banding tape and the fingersform the tape around the banding station with no strain on the tapecaused by snubbing action around the article. The fingers are thenretracted and the slack in the tape is taken up and the tape is snuglywrapped around the package and sealed.

The normal timing cycle is cut in half in production runs since apackage maybe inserted while the tape is being fed around the fingers.

4 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Patented May 30, 1972 3,665,845

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fl 6 INVENTOR.

FLOYD A. LYON Patented May 30, 1972 3,665,845,

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 2A INVENTOR.

FLOY D A. LYON Patented May 30, 1972 3,665,845

4 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR.

. FLOYD A- L Patented May 30, 1912 3,665,845

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 DEGREES 0 45 90 I35 I80 225 270 3l5 360 EN ll KN FE CUTl2 HEATER D l3 CLAMP RELE IN l4 F 5! l6 STOPARM 1 MOT/1 FIL I7 FINGER gi MOTOR STO P FIG 4 INVENTOR.

FLOYD A. LYON BANDING MEANS This invention relates to banding means, andmore particularly, to means for wrapping and sealing a tape around apackage.

The invention particularly relates to means for feeding a band around anarticle at the same time the article is being inserted in the bandingstation.

In conventional banding machines, the article or package is firstinserted in the banding station andthen the machine is energizedto drawthe band around the article or package.

In the present invention, the band is formed by four retractable fingerswhich are mounted on a rotary ring which encircles the bandin g stationso that the band may be wrapped around the fingers while the package isbeing inserted. There is no snubbing action as the tape is fed. Sincethere is no strain on the tape, it may be fed faster without danger ofsnapping. As soon as the band is completely wrapped around, the fingersare retracted and the slack is taken up and the band snugly wrappedaround the package, regardless of the size of the package, and the tapeis then sealed.

Since a package may be inserted while the tape is being fed, the normaltiming cycle is cut to approximately one half during production runs.

Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to provide new andimproved banding means.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved highspeed banding means.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved highspeed banding means for packages of variable sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved highspeed banding machines having four retractable v fingers mounted on anencircling means which rotates around the package so that the tape isdrawn around with no snubbing strain when the fingers are retracted andthe slack taken up, the band is wrapped around the package.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved bandingmeans wherein the package may be inserted while the tape is being fedaround the banding station so that the normal time cycle is cutsubstantially in half.

. Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedbanding machine of the type feeding a band around at least one articlein a banding station, means adapted to encircle said banding station, aplurality of fingers movably mounted on saidencircling means, saidfingers being spaced so that a band formed by said fingers will encirclesaid article, means to feed said band so that said fingers form saidband around said station, means to retract said fingers after said bandis formed completely around and over said fingers and encircles saidbanding station, and means to pull said band snugly around said articlein said banding station, whereby an article may be inserted into saidbanding station at the same time said band is being formed around saidfingers.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification and drawings, of which:

FIGS. lA-ll-I are diagrams illustrating the operation.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the ring and finger mechanisms.

FIG. 2A is a developed side view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram showing the developed cam shapes.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-1G illustrate the method ofoperation. FIG. 1A represents the starting position. The package P isplaced on a fixed locating platform and extends through the ring 1 whichis rotatably mounted. A tape clamp 13 is mounted on the ring 1 and thetape T is fed from the reel 3 around the guide roller 4, which ismounted on a long pivotally mounted arm 5. Four retractable fingers 6,7, 8, 9 are mounted on the ring 1. The fingers are mounted so that asthe ring rotates around the package, the tape is formed around thefingers. The fingers are rotatably mounted so that they can be retractedout of the tape path so that the tape can be tightened up around thepackage.

FIG. 1C shows the operation after the ring has rotated one turn. Thetape T is wrapped around the fingers 6, 7, 8, 9.

FIG. 15 shows the next step with the fingers retracted and the arm 5swung to the right to take up the slack in the tape T to cause the tapeto be snugly wrapped around the package P.

Referring to FIG. 1E, the tape is sealed around the package by a heater12. The free end of the tape is then gripped by the pawl Me on thefeeder arm 14 and the tape is severed by the knife 11.

Thereafter, FIG. 16, the feeder arm feeds the free end of the tape Tinto the clamp 13 which returns the apparatus to the starting positionof FIG. 1A.

Since a package may be inserted during the operation of wrapping thetape with the fingers, the average forming cycle is reduced byapproximately one half; In other words, it is not necessary to insertthe package before starting .the cycle, so that the forming of the tapearound the fingers, which is a substantial part of the cycle, and theinserting of the package may be done at the same time.

FIGS. 2 and 2A show front and side views of the mechanism for operatingthe fingers. The fingers 6, 7, 8, 9 are pivotally mounted on the ring 1and are normally held in extended position against stops 8', 9, etc. bymeans of springs 15, one on each side. The upper pair of fingers areconnected by a bar 17 and the lower pair of fingers by a bar 18. Thefingers are adapted to be rotated to retracted position by means of thelinkage comprising pivotally mounted members 17', 18' which arepositioned to contact the bars 17 and 18 to rotate the fingers. On theother ends of the members 17 and 18 are connected linkage members 17a,18a which are adapted to move vertically. The lower end of linkagemembers 17a and 18a are pivotally connected to crank arms 17b and 18b.The other ends of the crank arms 17b and 18b mount cam followers 17c and18c which ride on cams 17d, 18d mounted on cam shaft 21, so that all thefingers are retracted simultaneously.

Referring also to FIG. 3, the tape T is wrapped around the box orpackage P by means of the traveling clamp 13 which is mounted on a ring1 which is rotatably mounted on the frame. The ring 1 is driven by shaft26, slip clutch 47, shaft 29, and gear train 29' 28, 28 which mesheswith external gear 1' on ring 1. Camshaft 21 and ring 1 have a 2:1 ratioas the ring is rotated during only the first half of the camshaft 21rotation. Ring 1 rotates on rollers 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d. Shaft 26 is motordriven by motor 43. A positioning stop 30 for the clamp drive is mountedon the disc 31 which is fixedly connected to the shaft 29. The stop 30is adapted to be released by the stop arm 16 operated by cam 16' and isheld open by cam 16' for one ring cycle. Arm 16 is spring connected toarm by spring 16'. Arm 16a is cam operated by means of the linkagecomprising pivotally mounted arm 16a joumalled to the table, connectinglink 16b and rocker arm 160 which is mounted on the rocker arm shaft 20and the other end of which rides on the cam 16' mounted on the commoncamshaft.

The stop 30 is set to stop the clamp 13 in a position underneath thepackage P where it will receive the end of the tape from the tape feederarm 14. The tape T is fed from the reel 3 around the roller 4 on arm 5and thence to the tape feeding arm 14.

The heater and knife mechanisms and means for feeding the tape end tothe clamp, and the clamp itself, may be as shown in US. Pat. No.2,971,307. Cam shaft 21 is driven from shaft 26 by gear 21 and idlergear 21".

The arm 14 is adapted to be actuated by the cam 14' by means of thelinkage comprising rocker arm 14a which rides on the cam 14, connectingmember 14b which is pivotally mounted on rod 14d and fixedly connectedat its other end to the arm 14. The rod 14d is journalled to the frame.

The cam operated heating iron 40 is mounted to heat seal the plastictape after it has been wrapped around the package or box P. The heatingiron 40 is mounted on an arm 12 which is pivotally mounted to the mainframe at the point 12a. It is connected to be actuated by the cam 12' bymeans of the linkage comprising the rocker arm 12b and a connecting link12c which is pivotally connected at its ends to the rocker arm 12b andthe arm 12. The heater 40 element may be the cartridge type of the kindemployed in soldering irons. The 150 watt size has been foundsatisfactory.

A knife is connected to sever the tape T after the heat sealing. Itcomprises a rotatable knife blade 11 which is pivotally mounted on theblock 11a on the frame and which is connected to be actuated by the cam11 by means of the linkage comprising the rocker arm 11b which rides onthe cam and which is connected to the blade 1 1 by means of theconnecting rod 1 1c.

The clamp 13 is normally spring closed by a spring 13c, but is adaptedto be opened by means of the arm 13c moving arm 70 connected to clampjaw 57. Ann 130 is operated by the cam 13' and connecting linkagecomprising a rocker arm 13a and connecting member 13b connecting therocker arm to the frame mounted shaft 13d and which is fixedly connectedat its other end to the arm 131:.

Power to ring 1 is provided by motor 43 via shaft 26 and slip clutch 47,the output of which is connected to shaft 29. When the stop 30 isengaged by arm 16, the clutch 47 slips. Shaft 29 is geared to ring 1 bygears 29 28, 28. The clamp 13 is fixed to the ring 1 and is shown inFIG. 3 in position to receive the end of the tape from the tape feeder14 which is pivotally mounted on shaft 14d journalled to the frame.

The tape feeder 14 has a long extension 50 at right angles to the top ofthe arm in which the tape is held by a spring. The extension 50 fitsthrough a slot 51 in the block 110 attached to the frame and to whichthe knife 11 is pivotally mounted. The tape feeder arm 14 is retractedto the position shown by the dotted lines when the knife 1 1 isoperated. The arm 14 motion is at least the distance from knife 11 toclamp 13 in loading position.

The tape T is clamped in the arm. 14 by means of the wedging action ofthe pawl Me which is pivotally mounted on the arm. The upper end 14f ofthe pawl squeezes the tape against the surface 14g. The pivot point 141:is displaced from the contact point so that when the arm 14 ismoved up,the pawl 14e grips the tape with a wedging action. However, when the arm14 is rotated down, the pawl 14e does not grip the tape so that the tapecan slip. The adjustable stop 52 opens the pawl 14e in a positive mannerwhen the arm 14 is in the position shown in the dotted lines. The stop52 comprises a screw,

52a in a threaded stud 52b mounted on the frame. This permits the tapeto ride freely during the travel time of the clamp. Also, since the ringtravel is greater than the length of tape required to band the box, sometapemust be retracted each cycle. This is done by the arm pulling thetape back through the opened pawl 14c.

The arm 5 (FIG. 3) is pivotally mounted and is operated by cam 5 andlinkage comprising rocker arm 50, which is pivotally connected to oneend of elongated member 5b, the other end of which is slidably connectedto arm 5 by slide 5c. The reel 3 has a brake 30 set so it is not movedby movement of arm 5. The arm 5 travel is sufficient to take up allslack for the smallest package P desired to be wrapped. Alternatively,the arm 5 could be spring loaded to the right in FIG. 3, and the cam 5'linkage omitted.

The ring 1 is driven in predetermined synchronism with the camshaft 21.it is started by cam 16 releasing arm 16 and it is stopped by cam 16'which is connected to operate stop 30. Ring 1 is driven from shaft 29 bygears 27, 28, 28 which meshes with gear 1 on ring 1. The ring rotatestwice as fast as the camshaft and only rotates from 0l 80 of thecamshaft.

All cams are mounted on the common camshaft 21 which is mounted in thebearing blocks 21a and 21b connected to the frame. All the associatedrocker arms are mounted on the common rocker arm shaft 20 which ismounted in the bearing blocks 21a and 21b, connected to the frame.

The knife 11 is pivotally mounted on the block 11a connected to theframe which has a slot 51 therein through which the tape feederextension member 50 is inserted to feed the end of the tape to the clamp13. The knife 11 is pivotally connected to the connecting rod 11c whichis pivotally connected at its other end to the rocker arm 11b mounted onthe shaft 20. The other end of the rocker arm 11b has a cam followerspring loaded against the cam 11'. The blade 11 shears the tape with ascissor action against a stationary cutting edge 59, FIG. 3. I

The heater iron 40 is mounted on the arm 12 which is pivotally mountedon the shaft 12a joumalled to the frame. The arm 12 is operablyconnected to the connecting rod 12c which is connected at its other endto the rocker arm 12b mounted on the rocker arm shaft 20. The other endof the rocker arm 12b has a cam follower which is spring loaded againstthe cam 12'.

Clamp 13 comprises a plate member 60 having a recess 56 for receivingthe end of the tape. The tape is then clamped in the recess by the arm57 which is pivotally mounted on the plate 60. An angled extension 70 ofthe arm 57 is spring loaded in closed position by the spring 13. Theclamp is adapted to be opened by means of the arm 13c and is connectedat its other end by means of the connecting rod 13b to the rocker arm13a mounted on the rocker arm shaft 20. The other end of the rocker arm13a has a cam follower which is spring loaded against the cam 13.

The tape feeder arm 14 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 14d joumalledto the frame. Extension arm 14b is fixedly connected to the arm 14 andpivotally connected at its other end to the rocker arm 14a mounted onthe rocker arm shaft 20. The other end of the rocker arm 13a has a camfollower which is spring loaded against the cam 14'.

The stop arm 16 initiates the ring cycle by cam release of stop 30 onthe disc 31 mounted on the power shaft 29. The stop control arm 16 ispivotally mounted on the shaft 16d which is joumalled to the frame. Thearm 16 is spring connected to arm which is connected by means ofconnecting rod 16b to the rocker arm 16c mounted on the rocker arm shaft20. The other end of the rocker arm 160 has a cam follower which isspring loaded against the cam 16. The ring cycle is stopped by action ofcam 16 moving arm 16 to stop position.

The plate 60 preferably contains a rubber insert, for instance, of soft,heat resistant rubber, against which the heater iron seals the tapetogether. The 'use of the rubber insert prevents loss of heat since itis an insulator and also due to the fact that it is elastic so thatmaximum contact is obtained between the heater iron and the tape.

All of the mechanisms above described are synchronized and controlled ina predetermined sequence'by means of the cams mounted on the motordriven camshaft. The sequence of operation is plotted by the camdevelopment diagrams of FIG. 5. Each diagram is the developed peripheryof the respective cam.

Referring to FIG. 4, to start the cycle, momentary pushbutton switch 60starts motor 43 which rotates cam 600 off the indent and engages bypassswitch 60 which holds the motor 43 on from 0-l80 and then stops it. Thetape is formed around the fingers during 0-l 80. At a package isinserted and switch 60 pushed again for the wrapping operation. Morespecifically, the stop 30 is released by the cam 16 and the tape ispulled by the fingers of the ring 1. After one ring revolution the ringis stopped 180) by stop 30 hitting arm 16, the stop arm having beenmoved into position by cam 16'.

The fingers are then released by cams 17d, 18d and associated linkage(180) and the long tape feed arm 5 is retracted by cam 5' and itslinkage 180) to take up the slack and wrap the tape snugly around thepackage. The slight slack caused by the clamp is taken up by theelasticity of the tape after the package and wrapped tape are slid offthe clamp and ejected.

The heating iron 40 is then actuated by the cam 13' to heat seal thetape loop (220-250) and the knife 11 is actuated by the cam 11' to cutthe tape (230). The clamp 13 is then released by the cam 13' andconnected linkage. The package is now ready to be ejected. The tape feedcam 14 has moved arm 14 (190) so that the tape is gripped by pawl l4ebefore the tape end is severed. The tape feeder arm is then rotated bythe cam 14' and associated linkage to place the end of the tape into theclamp 13. The clamp grips the tape (320) as the clamp arm 13c isreleased. The tape feeder arm 14 is retracted out of the way of theknife during the cutting. The apparatus is now ready for a new cycle. a

The encircling means is shown as a ring, but may be a chain on a trackor other equivalent means.

I claim:

1. In a banding machine of the type feeding a band around at least onearticle in a banding station,

means adapted to encircle said. banding station,,

a plurality of fingers movably mounted on said encircling means, saidfingers being spaced so that a band formed by said fingers will encirclesaid article,

means to feed said band so that said fingers form said band around saidstation,

means to retract said fingers after said band is formed completelyaround and over said fingers and encircles said banding station,,

and means to pull saidband snugly around said article in said bandingstation,

whereby an article may be inserted into said banding station at the sametime said band is being formed around said fingers,

said encircling means being a member rotatably mounted so as to encirclesaid banding station.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means to take up said bandcomprises a long arm having sufficient travel to take up all slack insaid tape when said tape is released by retracting said fingers.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said finger retracting meanscomprises a plurality of members pivotally mounted on the frame of saidmachine.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 having means to seal said tape around saidarticle, and means connected to sever said tape from the feed roll ofsaid tape.

1. In a banding machine of the type feeding a band around at least onearticle in a banding station, means adapted to encircle said bandingstation,, a plurality of fingers movably mounted on said encirclingmeans, said fingers being spaced so that a band formed by said fingerswill encircle said article, means to feed said band so that said fingersform said band around said station, means to retract said fingers aftersaid band is formed completely around and over said fingers andencircles said banding station,, and means to pull said band snuglyaround said article in said banding station, whereby an article may beinserted into said banding station at the same time said band is beingformed around said fingers, said encircling means being a memberrotatably mounted so as to encircle said banding station.
 2. Apparatusas in claim 1 wherein said means to take up said band comprises a longarm having sufficient traveL to take up all slack in said tape when saidtape is released by retracting said fingers.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2wherein said finger retracting means comprises a plurality of memberspivotally mounted on the frame of said machine.
 4. Apparatus as in claim3 having means to seal said tape around said article, and meansconnected to sever said tape from the feed roll of said tape.